NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Audi A5 Safety Record
The 2021 Audi A5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 5 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Audi A5 has not been subjected to federal crash testing, leaving it without an official NHTSA star rating or a computed Safety Index from our publication. This absence of data precludes any definitive assessment of its crashworthiness. The federal record does, however, detail five recall campaigns for this model year, addressing issues ranging from rear seat-belt retractors to tail lights and tire concerns. Additionally, seven owner complaints have been filed, none of which cite crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities. While this recall and complaint burden appears light, the lack of crash-test data means no conclusion about its safety performance can be drawn.
The 2021 Audi A5 was not crash-tested by NHTSA and carries a Light recall and complaint burden band with five recall campaigns on record, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 7 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Audi A5?
The 2021 Audi A5's recall and complaint record is notably light. There are five recall campaigns, all of which are broad Volkswagen Group of America actions affecting multiple Audi and Volkswagen models. This indicates platform-wide corrective measures rather than issues specific to the A5. Owner complaints total seven, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. No crash-test data for sibling model years is available to provide additional structural context.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Audi A5 have any recalls?
The 2021 Audi A5 is named in five recall campaigns. Components addressed include: the backup camera display function, tires, rear seat-belt retractors, rear suspension axle assembly, and tail lights. NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory tied to these campaigns in the data provided, but owners should verify current open-recall status by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V742000
Risk: A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
Reported 2022-10-05
TIRES22V034000
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Reported 2022-01-26
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR21V606000
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
Reported 2021-08-05
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY21V295000
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Reported 2021-04-26
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS20V737000
Risk: Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Reported 2020-11-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Audi A5?
Seven owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Audi A5. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the electrical system and an unknown-or-other category, each with two reported allegations, followed by single allegations involving the power train, air bags, seats, and forward collision avoidance system. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been confirmed as defects.
7 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Audi A5?
Before purchasing a used 2021 Audi A5, prospective owners should check for open recalls. Five separate campaigns have been issued for this model year. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov will confirm if any remain unrepaired.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 Audi A5, so no Safety Index or star ratings exist for this model year and none should be assumed.
- Five recall campaigns are on record for this model year, addressing the backup camera display, tires, rear seat-belt retractors, rear suspension axle assembly, and tail lights, all issued as multi-vehicle platform actions by Volkswagen Group of America.
- Seven unverified owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, covering the electrical system, power train, air bags, seats, forward collision avoidance, and an unknown-or-other category, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths alleged.
- Prospective buyers should use the NHTSA VIN lookup tool at nhtsa.gov to determine whether any of the five recall campaigns remain open and unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
FAQ2021 Audi A5 safety questions
Was the 2021 Audi A5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 5 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Audi A5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Audi A5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Audi A5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 7 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Audi A5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Audi A5 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.